Microsoft APC 2015: How can Windows 10 be profitable for partners?

Allan Swann (ARN) |
Sept. 2, 2015

Windows 10 is a hit in the consumer market, so how can the channel make margin on a product that is basically given away for free?

The potential for driving giant bundle sales across all hardware, the software/Cloud ecosystem and phones is a huge opportunity. Refreshes could literally be end to end, top to bottom, if the system works as Microsoft claims it will. Continuum, a Windows 10 feature, that allows phones to be docked and used as full blown computers once keyboards and mice are connected.

"Most of our partners are working through the new use cases, Continuum, for example, really represents a different device consolidation discussion with customers. It is possible for someone using a mobile device and a phone to have that shrink down into a single new device," Goldie said.

"The app dev opportunities are there, the device and deploy opportunities are there. But we will see more and more of that come to light over the coming months as the new phones and Windows 10 Phone launches."